This week's shout out goes to Larry Murray for his very informative and thought provoking presentation of the wheelchair project shed and related issues. A reminder of our first Bunnings sausage sizzle if the year has been set at Friday 28th January, see further details below.
A reminder to all Directors that the next board meeting is at 7-00am this Thursday 20th January at the Surfers Paradise SLSC Club
This week we'll have a social get together - usual time 07:00 am, downstairs at the Surfers Paradise SLSC. Join us for a cuppa and/or one of the many yummy breakfasts on offer by the bistro. All visitors and guests welcome!
I was happy to report that our wheelchair project at the shed essentially is in good order. The production of wheelchairs is running along nicely, though there is a need for two additional workers. However, if we are to maximize the facility and its resources, we need an ongoing program to make improvements wherever and whenever possible.
The report from 180 Degrees Consulting is very professional and informative, helping us to identify points of action, most of which we were aware of but had not been fully addressed. It did strongly advise that we take advantage of Social Media to raise our profile and raise funds. Whilst we frequently post to our club’s Facebook page, this is not happening with the Wheelchair Trust website; there are few or no social media posts. It is necessary to appoint an individual to this job, who would, in turn, need additional help as the job can be quite demanding.
It was agreed that Mark Twyford and Paul Seymour would talk to their companies’ Social Media specialists to see if they can help. It was suggested it may be a service, we will have to pay for, the matter is to be further developed at the next board meeting where a decision can be made if we do nothing it will be a lost opportunity.
The issue of additional shed utilization has so far been a disappointment. All avenues we had explored did not develop into a practical operation; the last attempt was an effort to copy some of the projects they run at Substation 33. I believe this still has potential but is lacking a leader with sufficient technical knowledge. In the meantime, we could consider additional projects utilizing existing facilities, including the manufacture of coffins! Perhaps dog kennels, general pet equipment, including pet coffins? That type of work, if successful, would be undertaken by a different group of people on different days, allowing us to increase the number of days the shed is in operation.
When the shed reopens (expected to be on 26th January) we intend to make a few pet products to test the market and will keep the club informed. The shed is open for everyone in the club. Any suggestions or help is very much appreciated. Please, whenever you can, join us for coffee on Saturday mornings.
To summarize: we are going to do something about Social Media and actively look at additional products. We encourage members to contact anyone they think could volunteer on Saturday mornings.
Larry Murray is Chairman of the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Trust, an Australian registered Charity organisation
Geoff Croad has received the go-ahead from Bunnings Olsen Avenue for another Sausage Sizzle fundraiser, so we need manpower! [Hold your fire!For the purists and feminists among you: "manpower" is a perfectly legal word that incorporates both the sexes! ☺]Only 3 shifts - 4 people minimum required per shift to comply with Bunnings rules.
7:30 am - 10:00 am (this shift is filled)
10:00 am - 12:30 pm (still require 2 helpers)
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm (still require 1 helper)
Book your time slot with Geoff directly, by text message or send him an email.
We regret to advise that our Project Shed at the Arundel Community Centre is closed, due to a COVID exposure. Subject to no new COVID regulations emerging, we expect to reopen again on Wednesday 26th January We'll advise as soon as we are able to confirm.
At this stage, however, we expect our regular club meetings to take place as per schedule, every Wednesday morning.
Ian Mayberry was at the door and Doug Lipp was Chairman. We had apologies from Brian Pearson, Ashleigh Symes, Trent Belling (all in COVID quarantine), Al Sirovs, Gerald East and Mario Fairlie.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members, followed by Treasurer Doug Lipp who advised members that recently invoices had been sent out for the half-yearly club dues. Pay by 31st January and enjoy a $20.00 discount. At the same time, you can save money (and hassle) by pre-paying the meeting fees.
Following Larry Murray’s presentation on the report we received from 180 Degrees Consulting, the status and future of our project shed (see his report above), -
Geoff Croad mentioned the upcoming Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Friday 28th January: we still need a few more helpers. Please contact Geoff directly. Secretary Mitch Brown reminded board members of an upcoming board meeting, 7:00 am on Thursday 20th January, Surf Club, District Youth Chairman Darrell Brown confirmed that our club is sponsoring two awardees to the RYTS (Rotary Youth Transition Seminar) this month, and Franz Huber reminded all that the next ‘formal’ meeting will be on 2nd February, NOT in two weeks, as the 26th January is a public holiday.
This year's event is going to be a real country affair! Go to the Conference Website https://rotary9640.org/page/district-conference and check out what's happening. There you find the program, a brief summary of all the Keynote Speakers, and of course you can register. But of course, one of the big attractions of attending a conference is always the deep feeling of Rotary Fellowship. Being in the country, formalities will be kept to a minimum. You have an opportunity to meet, eat and drink with other Rotarians and their partners from other places in the District, you'll meet overseas Rotary "Royalty" [no Henrietta, I don't think Meghan Markle will be there...] But I know, you are all quite shy and wonder whether you'll be all alone... Not to worry! If worse comes to worse, yours truly and my better half will go, so you can always talk to us. [Yes, I know mate, but then you’re not too hot either... ☺ Ed.]
Here is just one of the speakers I certainly wouldn't want to miss: Bernie Shakeshaft. Bernie didn’t quite fit in as a kid. He struggled with his schoolwork and was often caned by his teachers. As an adult, Bernie went to the Northern Territory to become a jackaroo. While working on vast cattle properties, he picked up skills as a tracker from some of his Aboriginal co-workers. Later, Bernie got into youth work, and today he runs a youth service in Armidale, Northern NSW. At BackTrack Youthworks Bernie welcomes kids who are a bit like his former self. He meets teenagers falling into a life of petty crime, and sometimes incarceration. As soon as they show up, they’re given full responsibility for a working dog....
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
I ordered a chicken and an egg online. We'll find out once and for all which comes first.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect:
A type of cognitive bias, where people with little expertise or ability assume they have superior expertise or ability. This overestimation occurs as a result of the fact that they don’t have enough knowledge to know they don’t have enough knowledge.
Neil Thurlow's post of the week:
What starts with a W and ends with a T.
It really does, I swear.
If I get quarantined for two weeks with my spouse and I die, I can assure you it was not the virus that killed me.
This week we'll have a social get together - usual time 07:00 am, downstairs at the Surfers Paradise SLSC. Join us for a cuppa and/or one of the many yummy breakfasts on offer by the bistro. All visitors and guests welcome!
I was happy to report that our wheelchair project at the shed essentially is in good order. The production of wheelchairs is running along nicely, though there is a need for two additional workers. However, if we are to maximize the facility and its resources, we need an ongoing program to make improvements wherever and whenever possible.
Geoff Croad has received the go-ahead from Bunnings Olsen Avenue for another Sausage Sizzle fundraiser, so we need manpower! 
We regret to advise that our Project Shed at the Arundel Community Centre is closed, due to a COVID exposure. Subject to no new COVID regulations emerging, we expect to reopen again on Wednesday 26th January We'll advise as soon as we are able to confirm.
